Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-28

Talk OF TIE Springs and lis. Of
uusenentS.


lCorcspondence Of the Richnsnd Dissstch.l
Rock ALUll SPRINGS, July 20, 1887.
Although il is quite early in the sea-
son, the number of guests at the Rock-
bridge is something remarkable, and
every possible sort Of amusement pre-
scrts itself. A few days ago the gen
ilemen Of the place even revived the
memory Of the national game-base-
ball-and the lawn was the scene OF
the excitement, shouts, bowls, catches,
etc. which characterize men OF all
ages when indulging in that sport. But
the ladies, also, have a chance to IN
dulge ia athletic pursuits, for tennis
is played from morning till night, and
gives them opportunity to come forth
in their becoming tlannels OF red, blue,
and white. and show the men that the
"weaker sex of the present dy are
not so easily outdone in manly sports
One gentleman here claims to have
PLAYED over sixty games in one day, and
as far as could see he had the same
lady for partner nearly all the time.
The ladies here are all so fascinating and
pretty that it Is quite difficult matter
to decide which is the belle. This
question arose q few days ago, but no
satisfactory answer was received, as the
one thought of last always seemed the
most beautiful, until, like Sir Isaac
Newton with the sea-shells, the iudg-
ment turned around in favor OF the
first one.
Nearly every State of the Union is
represented, and well represented, too,
but the majority of the guests are from
the southern States. Richmond, Bal
timore, Louisville, and Memphis have
the greatest number, but other south
srn cities, also, have good shOwings.
In constructing the covered walkway
between me Rockbridge and Jordan
Alum Springs the workmen, whil4
digging the post holes, discovered
myriads of locusts. They were found
living in the ground at depths OF from
Six to eighteen inches, and from every
post-hole sixteen or twenty were ex-
tracted. An idea of the enormous
number Of thess insects may be formed
ON learning that this walkway extends
several hundred yards, and not a single
hole failed to furnish dozens OF them.
They are said to come forth every seven
wears. and their dsstructiveneSs to trees
and crops is terrific. Several years
ago they appeared at the White Sui
phur, and the foliage of nearly all the
trees was killed.
This insect is not the same as the
common locust which spreads his music
around SO freely on summers after
noon, but is an entirely different sPe-
cies. It. il about two inches in length
and of q tawny color. When dis
covered here they were in half-torpid
state, but the bslmy sunshine soon
brought forth their conviviality Of dis
position, and after few impulsive
struggles they began to crawl.
The list Of anusements for this week
is as follows:
Tuesday, July 2Gth-Full dress ball.
Wednesday-A progressive euchre
party on the lawn at 8 o'clock.
Friday-Fancy dress ball.
This afternoon the Rev. MIR. Presley,
a noted colored minister Of Danville,
will lecture on Africa" from which
place he has hlst returned, having been
a minister amongst the Singo tribe.
One of these natives has accompanied
him, and will nng several hymns, ETC.,
in his native tongue. ss2si
We have had several very pleasant
rains recently, and the other day there
was so much moisture in the air that
one Of the dusky employees of the
place WAS unable 10 black q gentle
mans boots at least such was his OK,
| cuse, but latent. il not lacking, energy
Was most probably the preventing
cause.
Our number increases daily, and al
seem 10 be enjoying themselves. In
fact, we can oil say, like the little darky
who, on being asked how old he was
replied "lf / goes by what ma Say
Use six; but il / goes by tho fun isl
had, Use mos . hundred" There
are now about fifty Or sixty Rich
mond people here, among whom
] notice tho following: Mr.. Il.
p. Alsop, Miss Carrie Lee Camp
bell, Miss Hattie Tanner, MrG l..
g. Younger, child, and nurse, Mr..
Everett Waddy, wife, and child. Nj.